Phillies finally found some post season offense in the clutch innings of Game 2. Late offense come from both teams as there were five home runs in the last four innings of the game. The Mets were halted by the great pitching from Zack Wheeler in Game 1, but poor Phillies play led to a disappointing loss. Hopefully Game 2's momentum will lead Philly to a W in New York as the series is tied 1-1. As the series has been going who knows what could happen as both closers have given up saves.
Aaron Nola will have his first postseason start this year for the Phillies. New York will have Sean Manaea who pitched in the loss against the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card. Manaea allowed 2 earned runs, struck out 4, and gave up 6 hits in 5 innings. Nola has had highs and lows against the Mets but that has been the Nola experience this year. In the first game against the Mets he threw a complete shutout striking out eight. Then, on Sept. 13, he gave up six hits and six runs in 4.1 innings. Phillies need Nola to push long into the game to reserve their rocky bullpen. The game is really going to come down to which offense can find hits first. As mentioned prior, both offenses have found success in later innings. The Phillies cannot leave a good Nola performance go to waste as they did in the Wheeler game.
Matt Strahm blew the save earlier in the ninth, Jeff Hoffman recorded the final out and earned the win. Edwin Diaz gave up the Mets' lead in the eighth inning, but Tylor Megill gave up the Castellanos hit in the ninth, resulting in the loss .Nick Castellanos batted 3-5 got a game tying homer in the 6th inning and the game winning hit to score Trea Turner. Phillies feel like they can't figure out their postseason bullpen as Strahm warmed up to come in for Wheeler, but Hoffman eventually went out and lost Game 1. Then in Game 2, the roles were reversed, this time resulting in a win as Hoffman redeemed himself.
Key Game 3 Trends
Manaea faced the Phillies on Sept. 21 where he let up three earned runs in seven innings. On June 8th he was blown away with six earned runs in just 3.2 innings. Castellanos on his career is 5-15 with three home runs against Manaea according to (Si.com).
Francisco Lindor had his first hits of the series in Game 2, going 2-4 with two singles. He is batting.235 in the postseason.
The Phillies stole 3 bases in 4 attempts against Mets’ pitching in Game 2
Pete Alonso is 11-for-30 with three doubles and two home runs over his career against Aaron Nola. Alonso was the savior in the Wild Card and will be returning to New York's crowd maybe for the last time as a Met.
Kyle Schwarber went 0-5 in Game 2 but had a lead off homer in Game 1. Schwarber is 2-for-6 with a home run when matching up against Sean Manaea this season.
Game Starts at 5:08 PM EST Fox Sports 1
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